Martin Marty to speak at Wake Forest University

March 19, 2007

The Rev. Dr. Martin Marty, a nationally known minister, professor and historian, will deliver the sermon “Getting God’s Priorities Right in Our Practices” at 8 p.m. March 25 in Wake Forest University’s Wait Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.

Recognized as one of the foremost analysts of religion in America, Marty is also an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He serves as the Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where he taught for 35 years.

Marty has served on the staff of the biweekly “Christian Century” since 1956 and writes the “M.E.M.O” column for that publication. Marty has also been the editor of the newsletter “Context” since 1969. Marty has served on numerous boards and received many honors including more than 70 honorary doctorates.

He has written more than 50 books, including “Righteous Empire,” for which he won the National Book Award; the three-volume “Modern American Religion;” and "The One and the Many: America’s Search for the Common Good.” His “Martin Luther” in the “Penguin Lives” series was published in 2004.

The event is offered as part of the university’s year-long “Worship in Wait” series, a monthly program that brings distinguished preachers from diverse religious traditions to the university’s most recognizable landmark, Wait Chapel.

In addition, Marty’s appearance at Wake Forest is also offered as a part of the university’s new “Voices of Our Time” events, which bring renowned experts to campus to explore timely issues.

Marty’s visit to Winston-Salem is sponsored by the Wake Forest University Divinity School and Centenary United Methodist Church.